Dyson V8 vacuum cleaner: two-minute review
The Dyson V8 first launched back in 2016, but at time of updating this review, it's still available to buy, both direct from Dyson and via third-party retailers. Although the Dyson V8 (and the Dyson V8 Absolute, which comes in slightly different colors with extra tools included) isn't as high-performing or tech-packed as its successors, we rate it as one of the best Dyson vacuums and it compares well against today's best cordless vacuums from other brands. It's also significantly cheaper than many newer models (but more on that in a sec).
Like all the other Dyson stick vacuums, there are a few different versions of the V8 available. They all share the same motor and battery – the only real difference between them all is the number of extra tools they ship with, so do double-check exactly what's included before you buy.
As you'd expect from Dyson, the design is slick and smart, and everything feels high-quality and well-engineered. Although it lacks the super-efficient in-line configuration of later models, the suction here is good. There are two modes – Standard and Max – operated via a toggle switch. We found it could pick up most debris on the lower setting with an occasional blast on the higher setting doing a good job of collecting anything left over. Battery life is decent on standard suction mode, although the seven minutes in Max mode is a touch short, and the recharge time is far longer than modern Dyson vacuums.
You won't get things like sensors that adjust suction based on dirt levels and floor type, nor is there an LCD screen to provide you with usage information, but the design is still perfectly functional and will suit most people's needs.
There's a wide range of compatible tools, which can attach to the vacuum wand or directly onto the motor unit for use as a handheld. All the tools are well designed and very effective – most are essentially the same designs as you'll find with newer Dysons. These tools mean the Dyson V8 isn’t just for floors; it can shapeshift to tackle a range of other cleaning tasks, such as getting hair off upholstery, sprucing up the interior of your car, and even getting into ceiling corners.
In terms of price, the V8 regularly attracts deals and at list price it's usually the cheapest Dyson cordless vacuum on the market, which means that if it's a Dyson you want but you're low on budget, this is the best cheap vacuum for you. However, prices vary by retailer and version, and sometimes the newer (and better) Dyson Cyclone V10 and even the Dyson V11 aren't hugely more expensive, making the V8 worse value by comparison. It's worth checking what deals are available on those models before buying a V8. That's the short version: read on for my full Dyson V8 review.
Dyson V8 Absolute: what's the difference?
If you're shopping for the Dyson V8 you'll almost certainly come across the Dyson V8 Absolute and wonder if you should get that instead. And the answer is... probably. The V8 Absolute is only sold through Dyson; it comes at a higher list price, with slightly different coloring and literally all the tools.
However, 'all the tools' varies depending on where you are. If you're in the US or Australia this means Fluffy and Motorbar floorheads, a crevice tool, combination tool, hair screw tool and docking station. In the UK you get all of that plus a mattress tool and a quick-release mini soft dusting brush. And in terms of colors, the US and Australian Absolutes are the same color as the standard V8 but with cyan highlighting on the handle, while the UK V8 Absolute has a shiny yellow wand.
Naturally the price is higher, although this isn't always the case; depending on what discounts Dyson is running at the time, it's possible to get the V8 Absolute cheaper than the standard model, making it an essential buy if you're set on the V8. If they're both at list price (or both discounted) you should ask yourself whether you need the additional tools.
Dyson V8 review: price & availability
- Various versions with different tools and different prices
- Available direct from Dyson in US / UK / AU, as well as third-party retailers
- Cheapest option $349.99 / £329 / AU$397
As is the case with most Dyson vacuums, there are a few different versions available, with different words added on to the end of the name (Animal, Origin, Absolute, and so on). These are almost always the same vacuum but with a slightly different selection of accessories. Because the V8 is an older vacuum, there are plenty of deals available, and prices will vary depending on where and when you buy.
At time of update, in the US there's the V8 available direct from Dyson for $469.99. Alternatively, there's the V8 Absolute (with an additional floorhead specifically for hard floors) for $519.99 but reduced to $349.99. Finally, there's a V8 Origin Plus (with different tools again) for $419.99.
In the UK, if you shop direct at Dyson it's just the regular V8, and it costs £329. Australian shoppers can choose between the V8 Absolute (AU$999 reduced to AU$549), the V8 Extra (AU$799 down to AU$499) or the V8 Origin Extra (AU$649, reduced to $397).
Based on TechRadar's price brackets, most of those are in the mid-range price bracket. The V8 is about the cheapest Dyson vacuum you can buy, and certainly far more affordable than the top-of-the-range models. If you don't have your heart set on a Dyson, there are cheaper options available from rival brands. Furthermore, depending on what deal you manage to find, it might not be much cheaper than a Dyson Cyclone V10 or even Dyson V11, and either of those would be a better pick for most people.
The Amazon Prime Day deals and Black Friday sales can be an especially good time to snap up a bargain, and it's worth checking our Dyson promo codes page to check you're not missing any extra savings.
Dyson V8 specs
Dyson V8 review: design
- Versatile design can be used as a floor vacuum or a handheld
- Reasonably lightweight, and easy to maneuver
- Two power modes, controlled by a button
Dyson is known for its slick-looking products, and the V8 is included in that. The transparent 0.54L dustbin makes up the bulk of the handheld unit, with 15 small cyclone cones arranged in a two-tier flower shape in front of it. While the motor is powerful and well-designed, it's an older configuration that's not quite as efficient as later models, which place the motor, bin and cyclone array in a straight line to maximise suction.
The V8 weighs 3.5lbs/1.6kg with no attachments, and at its heaviest (with the wand and main cleaning head attached), it weighs 5.6lbs/2.6kg. For a household vac, that’s pretty lightweight, but it’s a little on the heavier side when considering comparable handheld vacuums for car cleaning.
The handle is broad and comfortable, even for people with small hands, and the power button – which resembles a trigger – is ergonomically placed just where your forefinger should be. You will need to keep your finger on the power trigger for the entire duration of your clean for the vacuum to run continuously, which can be annoying.
There's a HEPA filter encased in blue/purple plastic, with air vents on the sides. Below the filter and air vents is a toggle switch to change suction power – there are just standard and max settings to choose from on the V8.
All later models have at least three suction modes, and the newest models even have a mode that responds to things like the floor type and how dirty it is, and adjust accordingly. The toggle switch is also replaced by a button on newer models, and from the Dyson V11 onwards there's an LCD screen to give information. However, in use, the more basic V8 methods of operation are perfectly functional.
When the dustbin needs emptying, you pull a large red tab on the handheld unit with a bin icon (a new feature on the V8, but redesigned again on later models). This pushes the cyclone part of the main unit to rise while forcing the base flap to open simultaneously. Lo and behold, dust, debris and hair fall out, with only a very thin layer of fine particles sticking to the interior of the bin.
The V8 comes with a bunch of accessories, although exactly which ones will depend on the version you buy and where you live, so do double check when making your purchase. The floorhead attaches via a telescopic tube that’s perfect for general use, and each tool can also be attached directly to the main handheld unit for use in handheld mode. However, there are no clips on the vacuum for storing spare accessories when they're not in use (this is a feature on later models).
The standard direct-drive head is great on pretty much any surface, but if you buy the V8 Absolute, you’ll get a Soft Roller cleaning head that’s the best option for hard floors. Using soft fibers and carbon bristles on a rotating bar, the Soft Roller is designed to glide directly over floors, and this means that if you have larger debris (like kitchen spills) that need cleaning up, they’re not scattered willy nilly.
And, depending on which V8 model you opt for, you might get a low-reach adaptor that you can fit onto the end of the telescopic tube to get under couches and low tables (this is similar to the flexi-wand feature included on today's best Shark vacuum cleaners).
When using it as a car vac, we loved the crevice tool for getting into narrow spaces and mini motorhead tool for collecting bigger messes in the boot space.
Dyson V8 review: performance
- Still powerful, although not as powerful as the newest models
- Up to 40 minutes battery life
- On the loud side for cordless vacs when on Max suction
Dyson tends to improve suction on its stick vacuums with each generation, so while the V8 isn't as powerful as newer models, it'll still be plenty strong enough for most people's needs. And while it's one of the noisier cordless home vacuums we have tested (at 80dB on max setting and 75dB on standard), it's not offensively loud.
No matter which cleaning tool you use, the V8 remains well balanced and, thanks to swiveling heads, moving the vacuum along hard floors and carpets is a breeze.
On carpets, the motorized direct-drive head does a fantastic job. It’s pretty good on hard floors as well, but if you can get the Soft Roller (or Fluffy) tool, there’s nothing like it on wood and tiles. Alternatively, you can use the mini motorized tool on hard floors, but its footprint is small, and you’ll need to go over the floor several times to finish a room. And that eats into the V8’s limited battery life.
We found it to be great at picking up both large and finer dirt in our in-car tests, using the mini motorhead tool which was a great size for most debris on carpet and upholstery. The crevice tool also worked great for getting into tighter areas, like into door bins, behind pedals and in-seat folds, and is long enough to counteract the V8’s larger body than most other handheld vacs.
Back to home use, and as with the other Dyson stick vacuums, the V8’s edge-cleaning prowess is pretty darn impressive. The cleaner head designs means it can handle the 90-degree angle along the edges of rooms and in most corners as well. This is also helped by how well most of the cleaning heads swivel on their own axes.
Dyson V8 review: battery life
There’s up to 40 minutes of fade-free power available with the V8 on a single charge, and that holds true even when using the motorized cleaning tools (like the direct-drive and soft roller heads) – which is not something we were expecting.
When the battery has drained, the motor just switches off, with no reduction in suction prior to that, so you get consistent power and performance for the full 40 minutes.
On the max setting, though, the V8 lasts for much less time – you’ll get no more than seven minutes of use. This renders the Max setting good for only spot deep cleans and great for quick car cleanups, but thankfully the V8's standard setting is more than enough for most debris.
40 minutes of battery life is usually enough for an average-sized one-bedroom apartment, but if you live in a larger space, you'll need to charge the V8 again, which is along process – a full recharge can take about five hours.
